Broken Man

I've known a boy, start out so fresh and clear
Mind so full of power, living without fear
As life unfolds, disappointments appear
Slowly he falls from a higher sphere

Reacting, adapting he tries to hang on

A thousand hooks pulling in all directions
The dark clouds descend and blacken his view
Mistakes and poor choices, he begins to unglue

Addictions and habits, distort his reactions

His heart aches and regrets his actions
Much that appeared so sparkling and bright
Withers and slips through, lost in his sight

The braking man looks up, after so many years

Wonders why he suffers, so much pain and fear
Where is the smiling boy who once he knew?
The light dims in his eyes, the boy flees from view

Refusing to let go and barely alive, he wonders why

Why can't he taste, think, or feel
Past the frowning face, in the mirror
Reaching for whatever can deaden his pain,
He becomes numb to the world

Unable to function, he stumbles along

Rabid desperation and unquenchable thirst
The boy in him shatters, shards that cut and hurt
His spirit is broken, yet he walks among the living

Past disdainful faces, he begs a seat at the table

Ignored by those who look right past him
All he sees now is grey desolation
Knowing he's gone wrong, he plays dumb and crawls on

There is quality the broken man has
Despite being dismissed as a lost cause
The world is better while he hangs on
His ties and knots are not completely undone

Before he goes to sleep for the last time

His eyes fill with fear as death comes on
Faintly he reaches out to those around him
Spirit frees for a moment he pleads

Another chance, as his breath falls short,

Fear stricken his wide eyes haunt the living
Disobedient his destroyed body unwilling
Let go, give him up, his end is here

He dies, just as we all will

Reflecting on the broken man gone
Some hearts weep for him
What he might have, could have been
All the saving wished for but left undone

How come some succeed and others are left behind?

Why are the failing rejected and scorned at every turn?
How close are we all, from braking apart ourselves?

The broken men

Look to see and you'll find them

Their lives are a living hell
They carry the pain of the world in their frame